What’s The Best CBD Cream for Pain and Inflammation? (2026 Reviews)

Today you’re getting a list of the best CBD creams that you can currently buy.

This roundup is the result of testing 20+ samples.

Testing included measuring effects on exercise-induced:

• inflammation,
• joint pain, and,
• muscle pain.

While these products may be helpful for relieving other types of pain…

We only tested the pain-relief potential for exercise-induced joint- and muscle pain.

Products on this list, all had an actual noticeable effect.

All effective products got rated on:

• Cannabinoid- and terpene-profiles;
• Ingredients (whether they’re natural and whether other anti-inflammatory compounds are present);
• Transparency of the brand on hemp source, extraction processes, and third-party lab-test reports;
• Price, CBD you get per dollar, and;
• The latest scientific discoveries on the effectiveness of topical CBD products.

Updated October 2026: We re-checked every product’s lab reports, prices and availability, and added Lazarus Naturals’ Muscle Gel. We also checked prices and availability.

Keep reading!

1. Lazarus Naturals CBD Muscle Gel, Relief + Recovery (Best Value Full-Spectrum Topical)

New on this list in October 2026.

Lazarus Naturals’ Relief + Recovery Muscle Gel is a full-spectrum CBD gel with menthol and capsaicin, so it feels cool first and then warm. It contains 2,000mg of CBD per 100mL tube ($32) or 600mg per 30mL tube ($12) (checked October 20, 2026). At about 62mg of CBD per dollar for the big tube, it’s by far the best value on this list.

The certificate of analysis on the product page (batch IF70, SC Laboratories Oregon and Anresco Laboratories) shows 20.8mg of CBD per gram (the label works out to 20mg per mL), plus CBC, CBG and 0.76mg of THC per gram. Pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents and microbials were within limits. There’s no terpene test.

Lazarus Naturals also runs an assistance program with up to 60% off for veterans, people with long-term disabilities and low-income households.

How we rated this: the scores are based on Lazarus Naturals’ product page and its published certificate of analysis (batch IF70), compared with the products on this list that we’ve reviewed hands-on.

Click the button below to go to the Lazarus Naturals website:

Buy Lazarus Naturals Muscle Gel

Next up…

2. Charlotte’s Web Hemp-Infused Cream with CBD (Great Value Cream)

Update October 2026: Charlotte’s Web has moved to a new website, and we couldn’t confirm this cream’s page there, so the button goes to their store. Their topicals are now sold as a CBD cream, balm, balm stick and roll-on.

Charlotte’s Web is one of the few CBD brands that’s fully vertically integrated. They control every part of the production process.

From the moment they plant the hemp seed to the final formulation of their products…

Charlotte’s Web tests their products up to 20 times before they reach you.

Their topicals are no different in that regard. It’s made from the same hemp that their well-respected CBD oil is made from.

This means, in theory, that you’re getting a true full-spectrum cream with Charlotte’s Web.

But looking at the lab-test reports we can only see trace elements of other cannabinoids than CBD. And we can’t see any terpenes (that might be because they don’t test for that).

So whether this product is truly full-spectrum is up for debate.

That said…

Looking at how much CBD you get per dollar (20mg), this is another amazing value for money option.

Also, if you’re looking for a THC-free cream, according to the lab-test report, this cream doesn’t have any THC. Keep in mind that it does get advertised as a full-spectrum product. So there’s some discrepancy there.

Like all the options on the list, this one is boosted with more non-hemp anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing compounds:

• Aloe Vera;
• Oat extract, and;
• Sea buckthorn oil.

Also, Charlotte’s Web ensures that this cream is:

• free of 8 major allergens,
• was designed and manufactured without animal testing,
• gluten-free,
• vegan.

You would think that such a high-quality cream is expensive…

But this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Click the link below to go to Charlotte’s Web website:
Buy Charlotte’s Web Cream

Next up…

3. cbdMD CBD Recover Pain Relieving Formula 1500mg (Best THC-Free)

Update October 2026: cbdMD now sells this as its Broad Spectrum CBD Recover (airless pump): 1500mg for $64.99 (checked October 20, 2026).

As you know already: When it comes to CBD products, we highly value ‘full-spectrum’ CBD products. But full-spectrum CBD products always contain a certain level of THC (always less than 0.3%).

If you don’t want ANY THC in your product, full-spectrum topicals are off the table.

What are some reasons on why you would want to avoid THC?

Well, for example:

• You could be subjected to regular drug tests, and these always test for THC;
• You could be on medication that interferes with the metabolization of THC, making a small amount of THC much more potent than it usually is.

If you want to avoid THC, I highly recommend getting this cream from cbdMD. cbdMD’s broad-spectrum products are batch-tested to contain no detectable THC. (cbdMD now also sells separate delta-9 THC products, so check that you’re buying the broad-spectrum cream.)

Although this cream doesn’t have THC, it does have trace elements of other cannabinoids.

Although not as potent as a true full-spectrum topical, it’s more potent than a CBD-only topical.

In addition to CBD, this cream contains other ingredients like:

• Histamine dihydrochloride;
• Arnica Montana;
• Methylsulfonylmethane;
• Vitamin B6, and;
• Aloe vera.

The bottom line:

If you’re looking for a THC-free option, this is your best option.

Click the link below to go to cbdMD’s website:

Buy cbdMD Cream

4. Populum Cold Therapy Hemp Rub (Good Results in Our Tests)

Update October 2026: Populum’s Cold Therapy Hemp Rub costs $45 and is in stock (checked October 20, 2026).

While this is the most expensive option on the list…

Populum CBD cream deserves a spot. Why? Because we had good results with it compared to some other creams that didn’t make it.

This may relate to a high concentration of non-CBD anti-inflammatory compounds inside this cream.

This cream contains some CBD and:

• Arnica;
• Chamomile, and;
• Aloe vera.

It could be that this cream has very high concentrations of these non-hemp compounds. And that’s why it’s relatively effective in relieving localized pain. Because its cannabinoid-concentration is very low.

It does get advertised as a broad-spectrum cream. But when we look at the lab-test reports, we only see CBD present.

Even with all these downsides, it deserves a spot on our list because our test results were good with it.

Click the link below to go Populum’s website:

Buy Populum Cream

What Science Can Tell Us About the Effectiveness of CBD Topicals

• Evidence shows that topically applied CBD can help reduce pain and has anti-inflammatory effects (1).
• CBD is more effective when taken together with other hemp-derived compounds (2, 3, 4);
• Studies show that besides CBD, a few other hemp-derived cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects when topically applied as well (THC, CBN) (1);
• Studies show that hemp-derived terpenes can have beneficial effects when topically applied (5);
• Many natural non-hemp compounds like Aloe Vera can be applied topically for beneficial effects (6, 7, 8). These can be combined with CBD for even more beneficial effects.

A high-quality CBD topical should contain:

• a wide spectrum of hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes,
• plus additional anti-inflammatory compounds.

The average stats of our reviewed topical products:

• CBD per dollar: 14.53mg;
• Minor cannabinoids + terpenes per dollar: 3.48mg.

Topical CBD Products vs CBD Oil and Other Edible Forms of CBD

The main benefits of using a CBD cream vs a CBD oil are:

• You can really target localized ‘inflamed’ or ‘pain-heavy’ areas.
• It can produce the same effects in these localized areas, with less CBD, lower blood concentrations, and with fewer side effects.

The downsides of CBD cream vs CBD oil are:

• CBD creams have a less wide range of potential uses. They can only be used for inflammation- and pain-related conditions. You can use edible forms of CBD for its anti-anxiety and sleep-improving effects as well.
• There’s more scientific proof supporting the benefits of edible forms of CBD.

How to Use CBD Cream

Never eat CBD cream.

All CBD creams, lotions, balms, and gels are only suited to be used topically.

In general, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Potential Benefits of CBD Cream

Topically applied CBD may help reduce pain and has anti-inflammatory properties.

In one animal study, topically applied CBD reduced inflammation and pain-related behaviors in a rat model of arthritis (10).

A different study found that topical application of CBD improved inflammatory skin disorders. Disorders like encephalomyelitis (EAE) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (1).

This same study found that topical application of CBD can have anti-inflammatory effects in patients with acne scars.

In general, CBD is associated with a variety of potential benefits. But the ones that seem most relevant to CBD creams, gels, and lotions are its anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effects.

If you want to learn more about how CBD interacts with various receptors that are related to pain, read:

• CBD for Pain: Our Picks and the Research

Is CBD Cream Legal?

Hemp-derived CBD products are legal on a federal level in the U.S. That means the product contains less than 0.3% THC.

Whether CBD products are legal in your state differs per state, but in most states, CBD products are legal on a federal level.

Learn More About CBD

The Best CBD Oils: A list of our most recommended CBD oil brands, includes full-spectrum CBD oils, broad-spectrum CBD oils, and CBD isolates. All are 3th-party lab-tested to confirm they’re contaminant-free and contain high levels of CBD.

The Best CBD Gummies: A list of our recommended CBD gummies. All are 3th-party lab-tested to confirm they’re contaminant-free and contain high levels of CBD.

CBD for Anxiety: Our Picks and the Research: The best CBD oils for anxiety, plus what the research says about anxiety, stress and mood.

CBD, Terpenes and the Entourage Effect: What terpenes are and what the research says about combining them with CBD.

Full-Spectrum vs Broad-Spectrum vs CBD Isolate: How the three types of CBD products compare, and which one suits you.

Scientific References:

1. Palmieri, B., Laurino, C., & Vadalà, M. (2019). A therapeutic effect of cbd-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars. La Clinica terapeutica, 170(2), e93–e99. https://doi.org/10.7417/CT.2019.2116
2. Pamplona, F. A., da Silva, L. R., & Coan, A. C. (2018). Potential Clinical Benefits of CBD-Rich Cannabis Extracts Over Purified CBD in Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy: Observational Data Meta-analysis. Frontiers in neurology, 9, 759. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00759

3. McPartland, J. M., & Russo, E. B. (2001). Cannabis and Cannabis Extracts. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 1(3–4), 103–132. https://doi.org/10.1300/j175v01n03_08

4. Russo, E. B. (2011). Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7), 1344–1364. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x

5. Petrović, J., Stojković, D., & Soković, M. (2019). Terpene core in selected aromatic and edible plants: Natural health improving agents. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 423–451. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.afnr.2019.02.009

6. Higashi, Y., Kiuchi, T., & Furuta, K. (2010). Efficacy and safety profile of a topical methyl salicylate and menthol patch in adult patients with mild to moderate muscle strain: A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Clinical Therapeutics, 32(1), 34–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2010.01.016

7. Eshghi, F., Hosseinimehr, S. J., Rahmani, N., Khademloo, M., Norozi, M. S., & Hojati, O. (2010). Effects of Aloe vera Cream on Posthemorrhoidectomy Pain and Wound Healing: Results of a Randomized, Blind, Placebo-Control Study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(6), 647–650. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0428

8. Bost, J., Maroon, A., & Maroon, J. (2010). Natural anti-inflammatory agents for pain relief. Surgical Neurology International, 1(1), 80. https://doi.org/10.4103/2152-7806.73804

9. Kakkar, V., Kaur, I. P., Kaur, A. P., Saini, K., & Singh, K. K. (2018). Topical delivery of tetrahydrocurcumin lipid nanoparticles effectively inhibits skin inflammation: in vitro and in vivo study. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 44(10), 1701–1712. https://doi.org/10.1080/03639045.2018.1492607
10. Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., McIlwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Westlund, K. N. (2015). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. European Journal of Pain, 20(6), 936–948. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.818